title: A core competency model for Chinese baccalaureate nursing graduates: a descriptive correlational study in Beijing.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A review of the literature showed that the core competencies needed by newly graduated Chinese nurses were not as of yet undocumented.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To develop a psychometrically sound instrument for identifying and measuring the core competencies needed by Chinese nursing baccalaureate graduates.
  
  
  METHODS
  Descriptive correlational and multicentre study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seven major tertiary teaching hospitals and three major medical universities in Beijing.
  
  
  METHODS
  790 subjects, including patients, nursing faculty members, doctors and nurses.
  
  
  METHODS
  A reliable and valid self-report instrument, consisting of 58 items, was developed using multiple methods. It was then distributed to 790 subjects to measure nursing competency in a broader Chinese context. The psychometric characteristics of reliability and validity were supported by descriptive and inferential analyses.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The final instrument consists of six dimensions with 47 items. The content validity index was 0.90. The overall scale reliability was 0.97 with dimensions range from 0.87 to 0.94. Six domains of core competencies were identified: professionalism; direct care; support and communication; application of professional knowledge; personal traits; and critical thinking and innovation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings of this study provide valuable evidence for a psychometrically sound measurement tool, as well as for competency-based nursing curriculum reform.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, PR China. Electronic address: yfykk@163.com.
authors.forename: Fang Yu
authors.initials: FY
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Rong Rong
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Yi Si
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Ying
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Ning Ning
authors.initials: NN
authors.lastname: Jin
authors.forename: Rui Ying
authors.initials: RY
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Shu Ping
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.forename: Yue Ying
authors.initials: YY
authors.lastname: Shao
authors.forename: Ming
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Arthur
authors.forename: Malcolm
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Elliott
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002681:China; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003479:Curriculum; D004508:Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate; D004521:Educational Measurement / Q000379:methods*; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011594:Psychometrics; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Basic nursing education; Clinical competency; Evaluation of baccalaureate nursing graduates; Nursing education